Day 2 & 3 in Paris

Day 2: The Louvre & the Cluny Museums

On Friday we purchased a Museum Pass for two days, and began using our 'free' admission at the Cluny Museum, which focuses on art from the Middle Ages. A treasure found there was a case of pilgrim ampullae and badges, or souvenir objects medieval pilgrims brought back with them from their journeys. The metal objects usually depicted imagery of saints and shrine sites. Others illustrated Biblical references or 'miracles' that had happened.

 

 

Iconoclasm on display at the Cluny?

The afternoon was spent touring the Louvre, which stays open late Friday evenings -- a good time to avoid the crowds and long ticket lines. We sailed thru the entrance using our Pass. 

What can I say...the Louvre is a giant treasure chest!

Hall Napoleon in the Pyramid's underground main entrance, including the spiral staircase 

Top sights were seen plus more as we walked the halls for over 4 hours until the museum closed.

Winged Victory of Samothrace

Venus de Milo

Roman mosaic floor 

Botticelli fresco

Grand Gallery

The Wedding Feast of Cana by Paolo Veronese

Photo frenzy by Da Vinci's Mona Lisa

Moat area from the Louvre's medieval beginnings

Dad beholding Dutch cows

A room in Napoleon III's plush apartment

Reliquary with the hand in the sign of 

the benediction blessing

The Cour Marley in the Richelieu wing

Inverted pyramid -- Dan Brown's favorite

Random images:

Booksellers along the Seine 

Chess game in the Cluny Museum courtyard -- by the time we left the woman had captured the boy's Queen.

French-looking autos line the road in front of the Louvre, all waiting to take passengers on a tour of the city.

Day 3: Saint Chapelle, Rodin Museum, Napoleon's tomb, & more

On Saturday (June 8) more museums and sights were explored using the Pass. After yesterday's tiring pace, seeing only a few sights sounded good. We're still catching up on sleep and adjusting to the time change.

After a breakfast of croissants (buttery good), we headed to Ile de la Cite to see the 13th c. Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel), which contains one of the finest displays of Gothic stained glass in France. Built in an astounding 6 years (speedy for that time), the chapel is where King Louis worshipped and also where relics were housed, including the Crown of Thorns. Currently one side is covered for restoration so pictures don't show the full visual effect of the glass. The interior was still amazing, though!

** There's been a few glitches with the mini-iPad's Blogger app but it's up and running. However, I haven't figured out how to change type and image sizes so will have to 'reshape' everything on my Mac after the trip. 

Main portal of Ste. Chapelle

Even the floor looked fitting for a king.

After Sainte-Chapelle we took the Metro at the Cite stop over to Musee Rodin located along Boulevard des Invalides. The Musee is also across from Musee de l'Arnee, where Napoleon's tomb lies under a golden dome.

At the Cite stop there's an Art Nouveau Metro sign  --

it's the last original sign from the period.

Here's Dad waiting on the Cite platform, the most unique Metro architecture we saw.

Musee Rodin is in the sculptor's 18th c. mansion that's surrounded by rose gardens. In one section of the gardens his well-known sculpture The Thinker looks down on museum guests. Napoleon's dome peeks over bushes in the background.

Dad thinking too

Napoleon's tomb is made from purple quartzite -- purple is associated with royalty. The tomb rests under an ornate dome -- very French Baroque.

Before going to the Arc de Triomphe (last on the list of sights for today), we stopped by Jardin du Luxembourg, one of Paris' many stately public gardens. The Luxembourg has a large fountain where small wood boats can be rented to let sail. Lots of excited kids played captain.

A Luxembourg tradition is to sit in metal chairs scattered around the gardens.

At the northwestern end of the Champs-Elysees avenue rises the Arc de Triomphe on Place de Charles de Gaulle. The arch is taller than what's expected. Not long after we arrived, a commemorative ceremony began with much pomp and heraldry around an eternal flame. Americans from Arizona were standing next to us watching too. While touring the city, we've encountered not just "An American in Paris," but many Americans in Paris!

After the ceremony the spiral staircase to the top opened up -- the view is worth the tall climb.

In the background is the square Arche de la Defense at the end of the historical axis of Paris, a 5 mile alignment that starts at the Louvre's Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and continues along Champs-Elysees.

Viva la France!